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The church serves community meals bi-monthly
BOARDMAN
Food and fellowship were served up Wednesday at Lockwood United Methodist Church’s annual free Thanksgiving dinner.
An estimated 200 people from the community, many of whom have been regulars at the free meals served at the church bimonthly since January 2010, enjoyed turkey, dressing, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy and pineapple upside-down cake, along with other fixings.
The dinner, started by the church’s Social Outreach Action Renewal organization, has been growing and growing, said the Rev. Greg Calko, pastor, starting with 15 to 20 people in attendance.
“We are blessed with many donations and volunteers to make the dinner possible,” said Elaine Williams, minister of music and part of the S.O.A.R team that organizes, prepares and serves the meals.
Some of the patrons are needy, and all come to socialize, Williams said.
“One of the things we focus on at Lockwood is worship without barriers, and the community meals help us tear down the barriers that divide people,” the Rev. Mr. Calko said.
People who enter the dining hall at the church, 4570 Lockwood Blvd., receive welcoming greetings.
“I love to hug people to make them feel at home,” said Sue McHale, wife of the church’s former pastor, Rev. Mike McHale, who is retired on disability.
Guests said they enjoyed the food and seeing friends.
Elaine and Frank Bogdziewicz of Austintown said the meals give them a chance to see their friends from Boardman, Dominic Viola, who is a server, and his wife, Cheryl, the church’s former choir director.
“We enjoy the meals,” said Gerald and Cecelia Lewis, of Boardman, who have been coming to them for years.
“We’re feeding people, but the most-important thing is the fellowship,” said Tina Serra of Boardman, a church member and S.O.A.R. volunteer.
“It’s a good feeling helping the community,” she said.